A Guide for Offering Healthy Support for Those in Recovery

Watching a loved one struggle with substance misuse can feel like navigating a storm. Witnessing their struggles can be painful, leaving you wondering how best to offer support. While you can’t control their journey, your presence can become a powerful anchor in their fight for a brighter future.

Understanding the Path to Substance Misuse Recovery

• Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint: It’s a long and demanding process filled with ups and downs. Be patient – their journey doesn’t follow a straight line. Celebrate their victories, big and small, and offer support during setbacks. Every step forward is progress.
• One size doesn’t fit all: Each person’s recovery journey is unique. Encourage them to explore different support options, like therapy or support groups, to find what works best for them.
• Educate yourself: Knowledge empowers you to be a better support system. Familiarize yourself with addiction recovery to understand their challenges and offer informed guidance.

Offering Recovery Support that Empowers

• Be a source of unwavering empathy: Their journey is filled with challenges. Listen without judgment, offer a shoulder to cry on, and show genuine compassion.
• Lend a helping hand: Ease their burden by offering practical assistance with everyday tasks, like running errands, preparing meals, or providing transportation.
• Encourage professional help: Therapy and support groups provide a safe space to share their struggles, receive guidance, and connect with others on a similar path. Be their cheerleader, encouraging them to seek professional help.
• Celebrate their victories, big and small: Acknowledge their accomplishments, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Every milestone, every day they stay committed, deserves recognition. This positive reinforcement strengthens their resolve and bolsters their confidence.
• Respect their boundaries: Understand and respect their need for space and privacy. Their recovery journey is theirs to navigate, and sometimes, the best support is simply being present and available when needed.
• Be a positive role model: Embrace healthy habits and avoid substances yourself. By demonstrating a healthy lifestyle, you can inspire them to make positive choices for their own wellbeing.
• Create a safe and supportive environment: Remove triggers from your surroundings and encourage engaging in shared activities that promote healthy living.

Avoiding Enabling Behaviors

• Don’t provide resources for substance misuse: Giving money or resources that could be used to obtain drugs or alcohol hinders their progress. True support means helping them face the consequences of their choices, fostering responsibility, and encouraging positive change.
• Don’t shield them from consequences: Protecting them from the natural consequences of their actions can hinder their growth and accountability.
• Set and enforce boundaries: Establish clear expectations and consequences for unacceptable behavior. This provides a framework for healthy interactions and supports their accountability.

Your unwavering support, understanding, and encouragement can be a powerful force in their journey. You can’t control their recovery, but you can be a lighthouse guiding them towards a brighter and healthier future.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction or co-occurring disorders, call the New England Recovery Center today at 1-877-MyRehab.